Christians killed in Egypt bombings

At least 37 people have been killed and dozens wounded after bomb attacks on two Egyptian churches claimed by the Islamic State group.

Egypt’s Health Ministry said an explosion at a church in the coastal city of Alexandria killed 11 people and wounded at least 35 others.

It was the second attack targeting Egypt’s Coptic Christians after a bomb in a church in the Nile Delta town of Tanta killed 26 people and wounded more than 70.

The ministry said the explosion went off at Saint Mark’s Church in Alexandria, where Pope Tawadros II had earlier celebrated Palm Sunday.

Islamic extremists have repeatedly targeted Egypt’s Christian minority in the past.

An Islamic State affiliate based in the Sinai Peninsula claimed an attack on a Cairo church in December that killed around 30 people and vowed to carry out more attacks on Christians.

IS claimed responsibility for the attacks via its Aamaq news agency, after having recently warned that it would step up attacks on Egypt’s Christians.

The blasts came at the start of Holy Week leading up to Easter, and just weeks before Pope Francis is due to visit the Arab world’s most populous country.

Pope Francis condemned the bombings, expressing “deep condolences to my brother, Pope Tawadros II, the Coptic church and all of the dear Egyptian nation”.

Both Israel and the Islamic Hamas movement ruling neighbouring Gaza also condemned the bombings.

St George church, Tanta, after the attack.